# pdf security - block emailing?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pdf-security-block-emailing/650276>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 14, 2013, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pdf-security-block-emailing/650276 "2013-02-14T12:40:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Shiloh2013](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@Shiloh2013](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shiloh2013)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pdf-security-block-emailing/650276/1 "2013-02-14T12:40:22Z")

</div>

When I create a pdf it gives me security options including blocking printing. But can I block a pdf I send to someone from being emailed further?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Shiloh2013](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@Shiloh2013](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shiloh2013)\
**Post date:** [February 14, 2013, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pdf-security-block-emailing/650276/2 "2013-02-14T13:00:10Z")

</div>

Nevermind. I’ve since learned forwarding cannot be prevented. There is a way to prevent the person receiving the forward from being able to open the pdf, but it is so complex it isn’t worth it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\
**Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pdf-security-block-emailing/650276/3 "2013-02-15T05:37:49Z")

</div>

Blocking printing seems to be circumventable too.
